About This Gigapan

Venice, a world famous city, is situated on the coast of Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy, known both for tourism and for industry, with a population of about 272,000. It is the capital of the region Veneto.

Historically, city of Venice was the capital of an independent city-state. Its name is derived from the ancient tribe of Veneti who inhabited the region in Roman times. This beautiful man-made city has many nick names, such as "La Dominante", "Serenissima", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Masks", "City of Bridges", "The Floating City", and "City of Canals" and indeed it is one of Europe's most romantic cities.

Here is how the Wikipedia describes the city's history: "The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as a very important center of commerce (especially silk, grain and spice trade) and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century. This made Venice a wealthy city throughout most of its history. It is also known for its several important artistic movements, especially the Renaissance period. Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music, and it is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi."

This gigapan was taken on the Ponte dell Accademia bridge named for the Accademia galleries, one of only four bridges in Venice to span the Grand Canal. Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti is in the foreground whease Santa Maria della Salute in the distance.

The gigapan shows a part of the "main street" of Venice, busy trafic of waterbus, watertaxi, gondola, and other boats, with the Accademia vaparetto station on the left on which a copy of the famous painting "The Mirror" by Felice Carena is used for the advertisement of an exhibition taking place inside the museum.

As one of unique transportation tool in a water city like Venice, the gondola is an iconic boat. Following are also taken from Wikipedia:
"The gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were once the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times gondolas still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal. They are also used in special regattas (rowing races) held amongst gondoliers. It is similar to punting, except it uses an oar to propel it instead of a pole. Their primary role, however, is to carry tourists on rides at established prices."

With more than 2G resolution, this gigapan gives clear views all the way to the end of the street.